When you think of classic Black films, you can’t help but also think of the soundtracks that accompanied them. Movies like Above The Rim (1992), Waiting To Exhale (1995), and Bad Boys II (2003) all had remarkable soundtracks full of timeless music that was featured in the film or was inspired by it.
Over the past three decades, some of the best acts in the music industry have blessed us with the most iconic music that was inspired by your favorite movies. Legendary musicians like Stevie Wonder, Teddy Riley, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston have all contributed to stellar soundtracks during their hay days. Meanwhile, rappers like JAY-Z, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube have also curated entire soundtracks for some of the most memorable Black films in Hollywood.
While we’ve already shared 10 of the Greatest Black Movie Soundtracks of the 2010s, in honor of Black Music Month, we’re honoring the classic soundtracks inspired by some of the best Black films ever made.
New Jack City (1991)
Stand Out Track(s): “For The Love of Money/Living For The City” Troop/Levert & Queen Latifah, “New Jack Hustler (Nino’s Theme)” Ice-T
Featured Artists: Johnny Gill, Christopher Williams, Guy, Keith Sweat, 2 Live Crew, Essence, Color Me Badd
Boyz N The Hood (1991)
Stand Out Tracks: “How to Survive in South Central” Ice Cube
Featured Artists: Al B Sure!, Tevin Campbell, Yo Yo, Tony! Toni! Toné, Monie Love, 2 Live Crew, Quincy Jones & more
Juice (1991)
Stand Out Track(s): “Know The Ledge” Eric B. & Rakim
Featured Artists: Teddy Riley, Naughty By Nature, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD, Cypress Hill, Too $hort, Salt-N-Pepa
Above The Rim (1992)
Stand Out Track(s): “Regulate” Warren G & Nate Dogg, “Pour Out a Little Liquor” 2Pac & Thug Life
Featured Artists: SWV, Snoop Dogg, The Lady of Rage, Al B Sure!, Jewell, Tha Dogg Pound
The Bodyguard (1992)
Stand Out Track(s): “I Will Always Love You” Whitney Houston
Featured Artists: Whitney Houston, The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M., Aaron Neville
Deep Cover (1992)
Stand Out Track(s): “Deep Cover” Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg
Featured Artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Jewell, Shabba Ranks
Poetic Justice (1993)
Stand Out Track(s): “Indo Smoke” Mista Grimm featuring Warren G & Nate Dogg, “One in a Million” Pete Rock & CL Smooth, “Call Me A Mack” Usher
Featured Artists: TLC, Babyface, Naughty By Nature, 2Pac, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Stevie Wonder
Menace II Society (1993)
Stand Out Tracks: “Only The Strong Survive” Too $hort, “Pocket Full of Stones” UGK, “Straight up Menace” MC Eiht
Featured Artists: Brand Nubian, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Boogie Down Productions, Spice 1
Waiting To Exhale (1995)
Stand Out Track(s): “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” Whitney Houston, “Sitting Up In My Room” Brandy, “Not Gon Cry” Mary J. Blige
Featured Artists: Toni Braxton, Aretha Franklin, TLC, Chaka Khan, SWV, Babyface, Patti LaBelle, Faith Evans, CeCe Winans
Space Jam (1995)
Stand Out Track(s): “Hit ‘Em High (The Monstars’ Anthem)” B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J and Method Man, “For You I Will” Monica
Featured Artists: JAY-Z, Quad City DJ’s, Seal, D’Angelo, Salt-N-Pepa, Barry White, Biz Markie
Friday (1995)
Stand Out Track(s): “Friday” Ice Cube, “Keep Their Heads Ringin” Dr. Dre
Featured Artists: Scarface, Mack 10, The Isley Brothers, Rick James, Bootsy Collins, 2 Live Crew
Belly (1998)
Stand Out Track(s): “Top Shotter” DMX, Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas, “Devil’s Pie” D’Angelo
Featured Artists: Nas, Method Man, Ja Rule, Noreaga, JAY-Z, Mya, Wu-Tang Clan, Sauce Money, Gang Starr
Blue Streak (1999)
Stand Out Tracks: “Girl’s Best Friend” JAY-Z
Featured Artists: Tyrese, Heavy D, Ja Rule, Raekwon, Hot Boys, Big Tymers, Foxy Brown, Keith Sweat, Da Brat, 69 Boyz & more
Next Friday (1999)
Stand Out Track(s): “You Can Do It” Ice Cube, “I Don’t Wanna” Aaliyah, “Fried Day” Bizzy Bone
Featured Artists: N.W.A., Vita, Ja Rule, Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Mack 10, Snoop Dogg, Pharoahe Monch, Lil’ Zane, Wu-Tang Clan
Baby Boy (2001)
Stand Out Track(s): “Just A Baby Boy” Snoop Dogg ft. Tyrese & Mr. Tan, “Just A Man” Raphael Saadiq
Featured Artists: Three 6 Mafia, Bootsy Collins, Anthony Hamilton, Macy Gray, B.G., Baby
How High (2001)
Stand Out Track(s): “Part II” Method Man and Redman, “Da Rockwilder” Method Man and Redman, “Round And Round (Remix)” Jonell
Featured Artists: DMX, Ludacris, Shawnna, Mary J. Blige, Cypress Hill
Paid in Full (2002)
Stand Out Track(s): “Champions” Damon Dash, Kanye West, Beanie Sigel, Cam’ron, Young Chris, Twista, DJ Clue, “I’m Ready” Cam’ron ft Jim Jones & Juelz Santana
Featured Artists: Eric B & Rakim, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh, JAY-Z, Freeway, Memphis Bleek, M.O.P., Peedi Crakk
Barbershop (2002)
Stand Out Tracks: “Trade It All Pt. 2” Fabolous & Jagged Edge
Featured Artists: Ginuwine, Ghostface Killah, 3LW, B2K, Jhené Aiko and more
2 Fast 2 Furious (2003)
Stand Out Tracks: “Act A Fool” Ludacris, “Represent” Trick Daddy
Featured Artists: Tyrese, I-20, Shawnna, 2 Chainz, Chingy, 8Ball, Fat Joe, Pitbull & more
Bad Boys II (2003)
Stand Out Track(s): “Shake Ya Tailfeather” Diddy, Nelly & Murphy Lee, “La La La” JAY-Z, “Didn’t Mean” Mary J. Blige
Featured Artists: Dre, 50 Cent, The Notorious B.I.G., Loon, Snoop Dogg, Foxy Brown, Mario Winans, Beyoncé, Freeway, Lenny Kravitz, M.O.P.
Hustle & Flow (2005)
Stand Out Track(s): “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” Terrence Howard & Taraji P. Hensen, “I’m a King (Remix)” P$C ft. T.I. & Lil Scrappy, “Bad B***h” Webbie & Trina
Featured Artists: 8Ball & MJG, Trillville, E-40, Juvenile, Mike Jones, Boosie Badazz, Nicole Wray
American Gangster (2007)
Stand Out Track(s): “Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)” JAY-Z, “Ignorant S**t” JAY-Z ft Beanie Sigel
Featured Artists: Lil Wayne, Nas
Compton: A Soundtrack By Dr. Dre (2015)
Stand Out Track(s): “All in a Day’s Work” Dr. Dre ft. Anderson .Paak and Marsha Ambrosius, “Deep Water” Dr. Dre ft Kendrick Lamar, Justus and Anderson .Paak, “For the Love of Money” Dr. Dre ft. Jill Scott, Jon Connor and Anderson .Paak
Featured Artists: BJ The Chicago Kid, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, The Game, Xzibit
Stand Out Tracks: “All The Stars” Kendrick Lamar & SZA, “King’s Dead” Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake, “Pray For Me” The Weeknd & Kendrick Lamar, “X” ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz & Saudi
Featured Artists: Khalid, Swae Lee, Jorja Smith, Ab-Soul, Anderson. Paak, Zacari, Mozzy, Travis Scott & more
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Stand Out Track(s): “Guns Go Bang” Kid Cudi & JAY-Z, “Black Woman” Fatoumata Diawara & Ms. Lauryn Hill
Featured Artists: CeeLo Green, Seal, Jadakiss, Conway The Machine, Koffee